Workwear for painters and decorators

Paying a lot for a jacket in a job where it will be unsalvageable within six months makes no sense. On trousers and polos, aim for a good strength-to-price ratio and plan for replacement; keep the budget for the outdoor jacket, which does last.

White spirit, acetone, thinners: repeated, rubbed contact can damage a marking, whatever it is. So we put the logo where it is not used as a rag — chest and back rather than sleeve or thigh. A garment cleaned with solvent at the end of every day is not one you keep anyway.

A brush pocket avoids putting tools down on the dust sheet, and flap pockets hold less sanding dust. The hem gets dirty first: a straight model with no flap is easier to brush clean.